SUKHUMI (Sputnik) — The referendum was held in Abkhazia on Sunday. Head of Akhazia's Central Election Commission Batal Tabagua said earlier in the day that the referendum was declared void due to low voter turnout, which totaled only 1.23 percent. At least 50 percent turnout was needed for the referendum to be recognized.
"Yesterday, a referendum on early presidential elections was held in Abkhazia, which was officially declared invalid," Khajimba told reporters.
The added that the low turnout indicated that the issue of snap presidential elections in the partially recognized state was "not relevant for our society."
The president also refuted claims that the low turnout was linked to the boycott of the referendum, saying that people in Abkhazia simply lost confidence in the organizers and initiators of the vote.